Friday, November 25, 2011

Get your "Maria" on and strut your stuff at the Ravenworks Holiday Costume Party and Sing Along, tonight. To commemorate StageQ's Holiday production, "Claptrapp or The Sound of Musicals" Ravenworks joins StageQ in presenting a night of costume craziness, sublime sing alongs and general merrymaking. Put together your best Sound of Music costume, or come dressed as any character from your favorite Broadway musical, and join the fun as we sing, dance and play the evening away. As always, there will be a costume contest with fantastic prizes, tidbits to nosh on and loads of laughs. The fun begins at 730pm at Ravenworks in Westgate Mall, 436 Whitney Way. There is a small admission fee and all the proceeds will go directly to the theater company, StageQ. Call 630-2348 or go to ravenworksip.com for more details.

The 'Hmong New Year Celebration' is this Friday and Saturday with day programs from 9am-4pm, and evening performances from 6pm-12pm. This annual celebration for the Hmong community will again be held at the Alliant Energy Center, Exhibition Hall. There will be special guest speakers, culture show, food, Flea Market, traditional ball tossings, eating, buying gifts, competitions, etc. Go to hmongmadisonnewyear.com or call 212-3538.

Small businesses comprise a significant part of the county's local economy - 86% of DaneCounty businesses employ 10 or fewer people. Buying local helps these businesses create and retain jobs, while strengthening the local economy. Dane Buy Local urges shoppers to buy local this holiday season. Go to DaneBuyLocal.com for more infomation.

Kick off the holiday season and discover downtown Madison shops and restaurants at the 4th annual Downtown Holiday Open House this Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm, on State Street and the Capitol Square. The daylong event will include activities for kids and families, holiday trolley rides and gift bags, and special offers and complimentary refreshments at participating downtown shops and restaurants, many locally owned. Information is at www.visitdowntownmadison.com or (608) 512-1342. A full list of participating businesses is at visitdowntownmadison.com

Madison's local Sons of Norway chapter, Idun Lodge, will hold its semi-annual Frokost (smorgasbord brunch) at the Norway Center, 2262 Winnebago, this Saturday, from 9am to noon. Included on the buffet will be smoked salmon, herring, sausage, cheeses, crackers and breads, boiled eggs, other baked delights. It's all-you-can- eat for a small fee. The bake sale will offer traditional Norwegian cookies, lefse, and coffee cakes. In addition to being a social and cultural heritage organization, Idun Lodge-Sons of Norway supports educational, community, and charitable activities, including the annual Ski for Light (cross country skiing for the visually impaired) and Barne Birkie (children's ski race) in Hayward, WI , and presenting Norwegian traditions (such as lefse making) at International Fairs and local schools. So come eat some delicious food and support this great local organization. Contact Dea Larson at dealarson@yahoo.com for more information.

Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party this Saturday, from 9 am - 12 noon.Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training are provided, and groups are welcome with advance notice. Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. For more information call 265-5214 or email mlfarrior@wisc.edu


Each Saturday from 4 – 5 pm, WYOU airs Third World Issues on channel 95 and channel 991. The program can be viewed online by going to WYOU.org and clicking on STREAM. For more information, email rdattoe@facstaff.wisc.edu

Holiday shopping takes on a local, sustainable twist at the "Close to Home: Arboretum Local Products Expo" this Sunday, from 10AM to 4PM. Forty vendors will celebrate recycling, sustainability and locally produced goods in the Arboretum Visitor Center, 1207 Seminole Highway, at the third annual expo. The expo supports the Arboretum founder Aldo Leopold's land ethic and the Arboretum's mission to heal and sustain the land. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Skolaski at 890-2555 or email jskolaski@wisc.edu

Each Sunday at 6 pm at the UW-Madison Memorial Union the Meeting for Street Pulse, Madison's Homeless newspaper will be held. Street Pulse engages and challenges various aspects and issues regarding homelessness and poverty. For information call 920-810-0972 or visit madisonstreetpulse.org